City Council meeting

The regular meeting of the Nixa City Council was called to order by Mayor Pro-Tem Jarad Giddens. Attending were Council Members Shawn Lucas, Justin Orf, Jarad Giddens, Aron Peterson, Darlene Graham, and Amy Hoogstraet. Mayor Brian Steele was absent. The Pledge of Allegiance was given.

Mayor Pro-Tem Giddens read a proclamation declaring November 2021 as Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

No visitors spoke.

Council Bill #2021-111

Amending the Provisions of the Boone Property Planned Unit Development to Allow a Twenty-Five Foot Front-Yard Setback for Lot 16 of the Kelby Creek Phase 6 Subdivision. Garrett Tyson, Planning and Zoning Director, gave an overview of the Planned Unit Development (PUD) that Council approved in 2006. Tyson discussed the current PUD’s setback of 35 feet and the proposed change to the City’s standard setback of 25 feet for that lot. Tyson stated that the City would not usually allow a change in setback outside of a PUD. The Planning and Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval of the setback change. Council held discussion. Mayor Pro-Tem Giddens opened the public hearing for comments. Ross Tommingo, 409 N Maplewood Hills Rd., stated he owned the property being discussed. Tommingo stated that the request for a 25-foot setback would allow for a smaller retaining wall to manage the water flow on the lot. With no further comments, Mayor Pro-Tem Giddens closed the public hearing.

Council Bill #2021-112

Renewing the Base Lease Agreement for Real Estate and Existing Facilities with the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. for Refunding Certificates of Participation Series 2013. Jennifer Evans, Finance Director, stated that this ordinance is done annually to renew the Northwest Sewer Lift Station financing. If approved, this ordinance will renew the terms of the lease for an additional year. Evans stated that the principal and interest payment included in the 2022 budget is $124,875. Mayor Pro-Tem Giddens opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made the public hearing was closed.

Council Bill #2021-114

Amending Chapter 2 of the Nixa City Code by Adding Thereto a New Section Providing for the Waiver of User Fees by Resolution. Nick Woodman, City Attorney, stated this ordinance, if approved, would allow Council to waive user fees for other governmental entities. Woodman next gave an overview of user fees and the legal process for waiving those fees. Council held discussion. Mayor Pro-Tem Giddens opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made the public hearing was closed.

Council Bill #2021-103

Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Intergovernmental Agreement with the 38th Judicial Circuit of the State of Missouri for the Funding, Hiring, and Maintaining of a Court Clerk and the Transfer and Storage of Municipal Court Files. Jimmy Liles, City Administrator, stated this agreement with the Christian County Circuit Court would allow the City and the City of Ozark to split the cost of a court clerk for the County Circuit Court due to the additional caseload due to both municipal courts being transferred. Liles stated that the contract would be good for a year and would be reevaluated each year. The cost for the City’s half of the salary and benefits for 2022 would be $23,833.20. If the position can be filled in 2021, the City’s cost would be $2,948.45. Council held discussion. Mayor Pro-Tem Giddens opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments being made, the public hearing was closed. Mayor Pro-Tem Giddens called for a motion to approve the ordinance. Graham made a motion to approve Ordinance #2021-103 with Hoogstraet seconding and Orf, Giddens, Peterson, Graham, Hoogstraet, and Lucas voting aye on roll call.

Council Bill #2021-104

Amending Chapter 2, Article II, of the Nixa City Code to Establish New City Council Districts Based on the 2020 Decennial Census. Tyson stated that this ordinance would redefine all three (3) of the City’s Council Districts. Tyson gave an overview of the redistricting criteria that must be followed. Next, Tyson discussed the Council Subcommittee that met to discuss the two (2) options for redistricting and the option that was selected because of that subcommittee. Mayor Pro-Tem Giddens opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made the public hearing was closed. Mayor Pro-Tem called for a motion to approve the ordinance. Lucas made a motion to approve Ordinance #2021-104 with Orf seconding and Giddens, Peterson, Graham, Hoogstraet, Lucas, and Orf voting aye on roll call.

Resolution #2021-111

Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Contract for Managed Technology Services with Pitt Technology Group, LLC. Cindy Robbins, Assistant City Administrator and City Clerk, stated this contract would be an amendment to the current contract with Pitt Technologies. Robbins gave an overview of the services that Pitt currently offers to the City. Robbins stated that the current contract with Pitt allows for 24 hours of service for $1800 per month, and the amendment to the contract would allow for 60 hours of service for $4500 per month. Council held discussion. Mayor Pro-Tem Giddens opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made the public hearing was closed. Mayor Pro-Tem called for a motion to approve the resolution. Peterson made a motion to approve Resolution #2021-111 with Orf seconding all Council Members voting aye.

Resolution #2021-112

Approving Certain Mayoral Appointments to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Tyson stated that the Commissioners Sarah Bader and Robert Wilson’s terms would expire soon and have been nominated for reappointment by Mayor Steele. Their new term would expire in November 2025. Tyson stated that both Bader and Wilson had accepted their reappointment. Mayor Pro-Tem Giddens opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made the public hearing was closed. Mayor Pro-Tem Giddens called for a motion to approve the resolution. Graham made a motion to approve Resolution #2021-112 with Hoogstraet seconding and all Council Members voting aye.

Unfinished Business Items - 2022 Budget Draft and Final Disucssion

Evans stated that this is the final draft of the budget. Evans presented information on the steps to becoming a noncontributory status entity by LAGERS. Evans suggested meeting the requirements of LAGERS and adopting the resolution so the benefit could start January 1st, 2022 would require a special meeting in the last week of December or push the start date of the benefit to February 1st, 2022. Council and staff discussed a date for a special meeting. Evans would provide the required supplemental validation for public inspection for 45 days prior to the special December meeting. Next, Evans gave an overview of changes made to the budget in the General Fund. Liles discussed the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) for a bathroom for the dog park. Council held discussion. Next, Evans gave an overview of the changes made to the Special Revenue Fund and Enterprise Funds. Changes discussed to the budget can be viewed at City Hall in the 2022 Capital Budget Presentation. Council held an additional discussion on a bathroom for the dog park.

Giddens stated that the Hero Run that was held on November 6th was great. Giddens said there was a very large turnout and congratulated Peterson on finishing the race. Giddens stated that he would be at Schuhbox Bakery and Espresso Thursday, November 11th 8:30-10:30 a.m. Graham stated the Veterans Day Ceremony would be at the XCenter Saturday at 9 a.m. Crouse presented information on an Art Show at the XCenter that will be Friday. This art show is in partnership with CC Links. Crouse also said that Wednesday, November 17th at 11:30 a.m. would be the ribbon cutting for the Dog Park. Liles reminded Council that City Offices would be closed Thursday for Veterans Day. Liles also stated that a date had been selected for the Mayor’s Tree Lighting, which is December 3rd at 6 p.m. The L.E.A.D event, Cocoa with the Community, will be held in conjunction with the Mayor’s Tree Lighting. Graham asked if there would be a craft show this year at the Jr. High. Hoogstraet responded that this event would be on December 4th at the XCenter.

Peterson made a motion to move to executive session pursuant to RSMo 610.021 (3) & (13) to discuss personnel with Lucas seconding and Peterson, Graham, Hoogstraet, Lucas, Orf, and Giddens voting aye on roll call. The City Council meeting adjourned at the close of the executive session.